winning the Italian Open<\/a> last month, and started well, taking the opening three games.<\/p>\nAfter the pair traded breaks, Paolini pummelled a forehand winner past Svitolina for the decisive one to take the first set 6-4.<\/p>\n
As both struggled to hold in the second set, the Italian served at 5-3, but Svitolina saved two match points and forced a tie-break.<\/p>\n
The 30-year-old held off another match point in the tie-break before winning the set and taking that momentum into the deciding third set.<\/p>\n
Svitolina dominated with her forehand, hitting 10 winners to Paolini’s four, before a backhand down the line secured her place in the last eight for a fifth time at Roland Garros.<\/p>\n
“I still cannot believe this match finished my way. I still feel my head is in the match and in a big battle,” she said.<\/p>\n
“It was a really difficult match, Jasmine was playing really well. It was tough for me but I’m happy I stayed composed, fought until the very last point and here I am in the next round.”<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, 16th seed Anisimova had enjoyed success against Sabalenka in the past – winning five of their previous seven matches – but this time the Belarusian proved too strong as she clinched victory in straight sets.<\/p>\n
Sabalenka’s power was on show throughout, firing down 11 aces, and while Anisimova made her work at times – not least by saving seven match points – she would not be denied.<\/p>\n
“I’m super hungry for this tournament,” said Sabalenka, who will play Chinese eighth seed Zheng Qinwen next after the Olympic champion beat Russian Liudmila Samsonova 7-6 (7-5) 1-6 6-3. <\/p>\n
“I love this place and I want to stay here until the very last day.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\n
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